On 3^rd October 2025, FRISSBE and SBRA arrange a workshop entitled “Mind the EPBD Harmonisation Gap: New Fire Risks from Electrification and Renovation of Buildings”, held at the University Foundation Stichting in Brussels. The meeting gathered experts from research, policy and industry to discuss how Europe can implement the Energy Performance Building Directive (EPBD) in a manner that also ensures fire-safe buildings.

Prof Grunde Jomaas, FRISSBE ERA Chair, co-opened the event together with Assoc. Prof Dr Draško Veselinovič (SBRA). Prof Jomaas also contributed to the first session, “New fire risks associated with sustainable solutions: what is our preparedness level?”, where he outlined the growing challenges arising from building electrification, renovation and large-scale retrofit programmes.

Later in the programme, Dr Andrea Lucherini, Senior Researcher, delivered a presentation titled “Fire safety of façades – does testing ensure fire safety?”. He addressed the limitations of current façade testing methods and the importance of harmonised European standards that accurately represent real-world fire performance, especially in buildings undergoing energy renovation.

The event, organised by the Slovenian Business and Research Association (SBRA) in collaboration with ZAG, FRISSBE, and European partners, highlighted the urgent need for better data, regulatory clarity and cross-sector cooperation. Strengthening these connections will be key to implementing the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) safely and effectively across Europe. The program, a full list of speakers and the slides they presented can be accessed at the SBRA website HERE